Electrolytic apparatus



(No Model) A. E. HUNT.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

No. 582,923. Patented May 18, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

ALFRED E. HUNT, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATU S.

SI'ECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 582,923, dated May 18,1897.

Application filed December 4,1895. Serial No. 571,064. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED E. HUNT, of Pittsburg, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Electrolytic Apparatus, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

My invention has been especially devised with reference to theelectrolytic production of aluminium from fused baths, and I shall sodescribe it, particularly premising, however, that it is not limited inscope to such application, but may be applied to other apparatus usedfor electrolysis or for electrical heating.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 shows in side elevation a series of electrolytic potsconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevationshowing one of the pots, and Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View.

In the manufacture of aluminium in large establishments using a currentof high tension (two hundred and fifty volts or more) applied to themetal-pots,wherein the aluminium is reduced by electrolysis from asolution of alumina in a molten bath and is deposited on the lining ofthe pots which are directly included in the electric circuit and serveas the cathodes, the workmen who attend the pots and manipulate theanodes are liable to be injured when standing upon wet earth, or when,

for any other reason, a good ground connection or direct circuit isestablished through the workman between the pot at which he is workingand the other end of the electric circuit, where the current enters theseries of pots. It is for the purpose of avoiding such danger that Ihave devised my present invention. It consists in placing around eachpot and in direct electrical connection therewith a metal platform,preferably constituted by extending the bottom plates of the pot outwardlaterally beyond the sides of the pot. The workman must stand upon thisplatform in order to get access to the pot, and as the platform isnecessarily at the same electrical potential as the pot' itself thecurrent cannot pass through him. He is therefore in a position of safetyno matter what be the Voltage of the current. Each pot should have itsown platform electrically distinct from the platforms of the other pots.

The details of construction of the apparatus may be modified within widelimits. The metal platform may be constituted by plates integral withthe bottom plates of the several pots or by separate plates riveted orotherwise secured to the bottom plates, and other modifications may bemade by the skilled mechanic.

In the accompanying drawings, 2 2 are the pots.

8 3 are the carbon anodes, which enter the electrolytic bath and areconnected to the conductors 4 by clamps 5, and 4c are standards whichsupport the'conductors 4. Each pot has a conductor 6 electricallyattached to the metal shell of the pot, so that the carbon lining of thelatter shall serve as the cathode. The pots are connected in series byconductors '7 and the arrangement is such that the difference ofpotential at the end of the series is high, the fall of potential ateach pot being comparatively small.

8 8 are the platforms for the workmen, these platforms being formed byextending the bottom plates of the pot, as shown in ings.

I claim- 1. Electrical apparatus of the character described, having anumber of pots or vessels electrically connected in series, and theseveral pots or vessels having metal platforms in electrical connectiontherewith, so that they shall be maintained at the same electricalpotential as the pot; substantially as described.

2. Electrolytic apparatus of the character described, having a number ofpots or vessels electrically connected in series, and the several potsor vessels having metal platforms in electrical connection therewith, sothat they shall be maintained at the same electrical potential as thepot, said platforms being constituted by extensions of the bottom platesof the pots; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALFRED E. HUNT.

Witnesses:

THOMAS W. BAKEWELL, H. M. CoEwIN.

the draw- I

